San Diego, CA—The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Jean-Michel Cousteau invite audiences to dive into a spectacular underwater experience in Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean, narrated by acclaimed oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, premiering Friday, July 3, in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater at the Fleet Science Center.

Filmed over three years in vibrant marine environments from the Bahamas to Fiji, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean engages audiences of all ages to experience the ocean as never before. The first IMAX® theater film directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau provides a compelling, breakthrough look at a secret world within the ocean that is perhaps the biggest story of all—that the smallest life in the sea is the mightiest force on which we all depend.

With breathtaking underwater sequences, viewers are introduced to more than 30 species—some no bigger than one inch—and will discover behaviors captured for the very first time thanks to the development of new filming technologies in ultra-HD 5K, slow motion, macro and with motion control.

Some of the featured creatures in the film include the giant clam, which can weigh over 400 pounds and live for more than a hundred years. Also featured is the octopus, the smartest of the invertebrates. It can hunt using its body as a tent and use camouflage to change color and texture and simply disappear into its surroundings. One of the strangest creatures in the film, and maybe one of the strangest creatures alive, is the basket star. Looking like a tangled weed, it's a creature of the night that unfurls its arms as much as three feet wide to grab food drifting through the currents for nourishment.

"Since the 1940s, the Cousteau family has been deeply connected to the water," said Jean-Michel Cousteau. "Several generations have grown up with our Calypso adventures, which revealed to the public what was a totally unknown world at that time. Thanks to the new technology developed specifically for us, I immediately understood that this was a revolution in underwater filming that would allow us to capture a whole new range of behaviors I had never before witnessed in my 69 years of diving. Secret Ocean takes us one step further in the discovery of the ocean in a way my father, Jacques Cousteau, could have only imagined."

"From the time of my very first dive, I've had the frustration of knowing that there was always more beyond what I could see," said narrator and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. "Technology is key to being able to see the ocean with new eyes. Thanks to the stunning IMAX format, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean allows us a deeper understanding of all life in the sea, the heart of our planet, and encourages us to take care of not only the large creatures, such as whales and dolphins, but also the tiny creatures that make the rest of life possible. With knowing comes caring, but first we need to know."

"This is a perfect summer film for San Diego," said Dr. Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "This film takes us from the beaches we love into rare and wonderful corners of the ocean to discover creatures that are rarely seen. The film reinforces that each creature, big and small, is important to the food chain and the health of the entire ocean."

Drawing on more than 30 years of exploring and studying a wide variety of ecosystems and cultures, the film's science advisor, Dr. Richard Murphy, states, "I believe a better understanding of how nature works can not only promote an appreciation for the value of our natural heritage but also help guide the next generation in living more sustainably on the planet."

Jean-Michel Cousteau provides a brand new view of the underwater world that will leave audiences in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans and inspire an even stronger desire to protect what they have seen for the first time, or re-discovered along the journey.

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean is produced by Ocean Futures Society & 3D Entertainment Films, and distributed worldwide by 3D Entertainment Distribution. It was written by Pamela Stacey, and Gavin McKinney served as director of photography. Dr. Richard Murphy was the chief scientific advisor. The original musical score was written and performed by Christophe Jacquelin.

This film is family friendly and has a run time of 40 minutes.

Additional Links:

For more information on the film, visit: http://secretocean-thefilm.com/

For a complete film schedule please visit: http://www.rhfleet.org/shows/jean-michel-cousteaus-secret-ocean

Press Photos: http://www.rhfleet.org/press-room/images#14529

Press Photos and videos are available on the Fleet Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/x2g2axj1yhuodfp/AAC64Lg3kGTi8Sq4mM3ov_-xa?dl=0

To schedule a special screening or interview with one of the experts related to the film, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. A list of available experts related to the film is below.

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FOR MEDIA ONLY:

You're invited to the Premiere!

Members of the media are invited to join us for our premiere party for Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean on Tuesday, June 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. We will have a reception from 6 to 7 p.m., with the premiere screening of the film beginning at 7 p.m. and a Q&A with science advisor to the film Dr. Richard Murphy immediately thereafter. Refreshments will be served during the reception.

If you would like to attend the premiere party for Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean, please RSVP to Nathan Young, Reuben H. Fleet Public Relations and Promotions Manager, at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org. Space is limited. RSVP by June 29, 2015.

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Media Interviews

The Fleet is pleased to have a number of representatives available for interview in conjunction with the film Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean. Representatives include the film's science advisor and also local experts who can talk about the waters right off of the San Diego coast.

Richard Murphy, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Advisor for Jean-Michel Cousteau's Secret Ocean

Director of Science and Education for Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society
A Ph.D. scientist in marine ecology from the University of Southern California, Murphy began working with Jacques and Jean-Michel Cousteau in 1968 and has been involved in projects and expeditions around the globe. He has served as chief scientist, photographer, writer, educator and project director for a variety of projects, and he has created many educational programs for young people in developed and developing countries. His book Coral Reefs: Cities Under the Sea offers a unique and fascinating look at how coral reefs function and what lessons they can teach us in making our own communities more sustainable. His book Water Alive dramatically illustrates the historical, genetic and ecological connections all life forms share-through water.

http://www.rcmurph.com/menu/about/index.htm

Josh Jones
Local Whale Expert
Research Associate at Scripps Institute of Oceanography

Josh Jones is a Staff Research Associate at Scripps Institute of Oceanography's Marine Physical Laboratory. He has worked in whale research for the past 13 years and has a B.S. in Environmental Systems from UCSD. His activities at SIO include research on Arctic marine mammals and real-time detection and tracking of whales using passive acoustic monitoring. Josh is also the director of the project Whales: Voices in the Sea and manages the lab's involvement in SeaTech, a technology training and research internship program for teens from California to Alaska. Before coming to the Whale Acoustics Lab in 2003, Josh was manager of the whale research vessel, Odyssey, and led expeditions throughout the northern and central Pacific. Josh Jones is based out of San Diego.

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About Ocean Futures Society

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society was founded to explore the oceans, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for their protection and to celebrate their vital importance to the survival of all life on the planet. Ambassadors of the Environment represents the Society's commitment to prepare the next generation for the responsibilities they will inherit to manage the planet's biosphere. For more information, visit the website at www.oceanfutures.org.

About 3D Entertainment Films & 3D Entertainment Distribution

3D Entertainment Films and 3D Entertainment Distribution respectively specialize in the production and distribution of innovative films for IMAX theaters and digital 3D cinemas worldwide. Based in London (UK) and Los Angeles (CA), the Company is dedicated to immersing audiences of all ages in engaging, story-driven 3D experiences that inspire and educate. For more information about our company, please visit www.3DEfilms.com.